Russell and Fox continue their purple patch with a double

Trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox continued their excellent run of form with a double courtesy of Mannochmore and Bollingerandkrug.

The pair combined to land the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Friday with Ahoy Senor, who upset the odds at 66-1.

Here Mannochmore led after the third flight and stayed on best to finish 12 lengths clear of King Of Fashion in the 2m5½f handicap chase before Bollingerandkrug struck at 7-1 in the 2m2f handicap hurdle.

"It suited Mannochmore racing from the front. He was erratic as a baby, but fences have been the making of him," said the trainer. "He's a good ground horse so we'll keep going with him."

Hello Judge (Danny McMenamin) wins the openerCredit: Grossick Racing

Impressive strike-rate

Ann Hamilton trains only a handful of horses, but she recorded her 12th winner of the season when Hello Judge won the 2m2f novice hurdle under Danny McMenamin.

Hamilton trains five horses in Northumberland and has now struck with two of her last three runners, while stable star Nuts Well was denied in the Grade 1 Marsh Chase at Aintree on Friday when finishing 11 lengths second to Fakir D'Oudairies.

The trainer's husband Ian, who owns Hello Judge, told Racing TV: "He's got a lot of strengthening up to do, but he's a good horse and he'll stay. He should give us a lot of fun in the winter."

Garde back on top

Almazhar Garde was carrying top weight in the 2m7½f handicap chase, but it did not stop him making exceptionally light work of his task under Gavin Sheehan.

The Charlie Longsdon-trained six-year-old, who was seventh in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival last month, was dropping down in class here and finished clear of 2-1 favourite On A Promise to win by 11 lengths.

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